India is planning to start large-scale production of bio-bitumen sourced from biomass or agricultural waste.
CRRI New Initiative
- Objective: To reduce the country’s reliance on imported bitumen.
- It aims to replace these imports with bio-bitumen within the next decade.
- The Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) and the Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun, are set to initiate a pilot study on a 1-km road segment constructed using bio-bitumen.
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Central Road Research Institute (CRRI)
- It is a leading national laboratory.
- Establishment: 1952
- It is located in New Delhi.
- It focuses on conducting research and development across various road and runway infrastructure.
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About bio-bitumen
- Bio-bitumen is a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-fuel-based bitumen.
- Also known as bio-asphalt.
- It is manufactured from organic materials such as bio-char, bio-oil, and similar substances.
- It can be used either to supplement bitumen or to lessen the amount of bitumen in the binder mixture.
How is Bio-Bitumen made?
- It is a type of asphalt mixture which is made from lignins derived from various waste materials
- Lignins are natural biopolymers found in the plant cell wall.
- It provides structural support and aids in growth.
- Production Process: bio-bitumen needs heating of waste mixture to around 500°C without oxygen.
- This process is known as pyrolysis
- It is similar to charcoal and biochar production
- It is used in biofuel manufacturing.
Benefits of Bio-Bitumen
Using bio-based bitumen offers several advantages:
- Reduced Imports: It helps reduce the dependency on imported bitumen.
- Environmental Impact: Addresses issues like stubble burning by utilizing organic waste materials.
- Economic Benefits: Results in substantial savings on foreign exchange.
- Promotion of Bio-economy: Boosts the bio-economy by encouraging the use of renewable and sustainable resources in construction.
About Bitumen
- Bitumen is a black substance derived primarily from crude oil.
- It consists of complex hydrocarbons and includes elements such as calcium, iron, sulfur, and oxygen.
- Bitumen is renowned for its ability to provide waterproofing and adhesive properties.
- It makes it a vital material in the construction sector.
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India’s Current Situation – Bitumen
- Demand Growth: India’s bitumen consumption has risen notably due to increased road construction activities.
- Over the past five fiscal years, the annual average consumption has increased to 7.7 million tonnes from 5.94 million tonnes recorded between 2014-15 and 2018-19.
- Import Dependency: India currently imports approximately half of its annual bitumen requirement.
- Imports: In the fiscal year 2023-24, India imported 3.21 million tonnes of bitumen.
- Domestic Production: During the same period, India produced 5.24 million tonnes of bitumen locally.
June 19, 2024
